Car Hire Moscow - Mini guide to Moscow

Moscow is the ancient capital of Russia. From the modern to the antediluvian, this city of over eight million people offers a glimpse of all that is old, new, rich and poor in Russia.

The Kremlin is located in the center of Moscow, and in many ways is the center of the entire country, politically, economically, and socially. This unique walled compound is filled with both Russia’s executive offices and a variety of cathedrals and towers, some dating back almost a thousand years.

Immediately in front of the Kremlin is the famous Red Square. It has witness parades of many of Europe’s biggest tyrants, from Ivan the Terrible to Napoleon and Stalin, and is as much at the heart of Russia as the Kremlin itself. You can’t miss the exquisite and imposing Onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral, the epitome of Russian Cathedral design. Across the way is the tomb of the father of Russian Communism, Vladimir Lenin, where his preserved body can still be viewed.

Around Red Square are a range of restaurants from the famous McDonald’s Red Square to those offering traditional Russian food and varieties from around the world. Also in this area are some of Moscow’s finest hotels. Just a short hop through the beautiful marble ensconced Moscow Metro will take you to Gorky Park. The Park is a 3km entertainment center, with lectures, rock concerts, river cruises during the summer and ice skating during the winter.

With the rich and poor contrasting so obviously, a walk among the back streets and away from the tourist areas offers a fascinating glimpse into the grim every day lives of a nation coming to terms with post-communist Russia.

On the outskirts of Moscow, and easily accessible by car, are the Sandunozskiye Baths, a place to go for a real taste of Russian Sauna culture, complete with birch twig whipping and beer.

Sheremetevo-2 airport, 30kms northwest of the city center, has flights available to and from most major European cities and others around the world. It also handles flights to other parts of the former Soviet Union.